Alaska

Women will make up a majority in Alaska House for first time in state history

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2024

Women will make up a majority in Alaska House for first time in state history

The entrance to the House of Representatives Chamber at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on February 26, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Six Alaska House seats currently held by men are set to be held by women next year, bringing the overall number of women in the chamber to 21. This will be the first time in the state’s history that one of the legislative chambers is majority women.

The women elected to the Alaska House bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to the chamber. Ten of them are Republicans, including four newly elected this year. Nine are Democrats — including three who are newly elected. Two are independents who caucus with Democrats.

There are also five women in the state Senate, a number that remained unchanged in this year’s election, bringing the total number of women in the Alaska Legislature to 26 out of 60, a new record for the state. The previous record of 23 was set in 2019.

Nationally, around a third of legislative seats were held by women this year, according to researchers at Rutgers University. Nearly two-thirds of women legislators are Democrats. In Alaska, women serving in the Legislature are largely evenly split between the major political parties.

Before this year’s election, only seven states had ever seen gender parity in one of their legislative chambers. They include Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon. California is set to join the list after this year’s election.

Three of the women slated to serve in the Alaska House next year are Alaska Native — also a record. Two of them were elected for the first time: Robyn Burke of Utqiagvik, who is of Iñupiaq descent, and Nellie Jimmie of Toksook Bay, who is of Yup’ik descent. They join Rep. Maxine Dibert of Fairbanks, of Koyukon Athabascan descent, who was elected in 2022.

The historic increase in representation of women came in Alaska even as voters did not reelect U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, the first woman and first Alaska Native person to represent the state in the U.S. House. Peltola was voted out in favor of Republican Nick Begich III.

Women come to the Alaska Legislature from diverse professional backgrounds, but a disproportionate number of them will arrive with some experience in public education.

Three of the newly elected lawmakers — Burke, Jubilee Underwood of Wasilla and Rebecca Schwanke of Glennallen — have served on their local school boards, helping oversee the North Slope Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Copper River school districts, respectively.

The three bring different perspectives on public education. Burke said she is looking forward to working with a bipartisan caucus that is set to have a majority in the Alaska House this year, with a focus on increasing education funding and improving the retirement options for Alaska’s public employees, including teachers.

Schwanke and Underwood, on the other hand, have indicated they will join the Republican minority caucus, which has shown an interest in conservative social causes such as barring the participation of transgender girls in girls’ school sports teams.

The increase in the number of women serving in the Alaska Legislature comes as public education funding is set to be a key issue when lawmakers convene in January.

Burke said she and the other newly elected women bring different policy perspectives to the topic of education, but their shared experience in serving on school boards reflects a commitment to their children’s education.

“With so many parents and so many moms, I hope that there will be really good legislation that supports working families and children and education,” Burke said.

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Alaska

This Alaska cruise port lets you experience the wild, untouched state

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

This Alaska cruise port lets you experience the wild, untouched state

At Icy Strait Point, visitors can spot whales and eagles while supporting a small Alaska community.

Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska, offers a rare kind of cruise stop — one where nature, culture, and community take center stage. It was also specifically developed with tourists in mind.

Built on Huna Tlingit land near Hoonah, this privately owned destination was designed to spread visitors across 23,000 acres of wilderness rather than overwhelm the town. The result is a place where travelers can see bald eagles, sea lions, and crashing waves instead of traffic and tour buses.

Beyond its dramatic scenery, Icy Strait Point generates about $20 million in annual economic impact for a community of roughly 900 people, supporting hundreds of jobs, making it a model for how tourism can benefit residents while preserving Alaska’s character.

Why it matters

Located on Huna Tlingit land, Icy Strait Point shows how tourism can support small communities while preserving their identity. Places like this reflect a broader American story of stewardship, self-determination, and economic opportunity.

According to Icy Strait Point’s Senior Vice President, Tyler Hackman, the destination generates “$20 million a year of positive economic impact on a community of 900 people,” creating jobs while allowing Hoonah to remain distinctly itself.

What to see today

Unlike many cruise ports, Icy Strait Point feels remarkably undeveloped.

“This place is mostly untouched,” Hackman said. “When a ship comes into a dock here, somebody can be standing on the top deck of the ship, and you don’t see a parking lot, you don’t see a bus, you don’t see a vehicle.”

Visitors can take a gondola to the mountaintop for sweeping views, then follow Hackman’s advice and head to the beach in front of the historic cannery. There, they can search for shells, dip their hands in Alaska’s icy waters, and take in snowcapped peaks on the horizon — and maybe spot a humpback whale or an orca.

Ask a local

For a sweet stop with a bigger purpose, visit Lil’ Gen’s Mini-Doughnuts.

Operated by The Salvation Army, the shop serves warm mini-doughnuts to cruise visitors all summer. The impact extends far beyond dessert: Hackman said that in 2025, profits from the shop helped fund “$130,000 worth of food to the local community.”

It’s a delicious way to support Hoonah residents directly. Try the lemon sugaring.

Plan your visit

Best time: May through September during the Alaska cruise season.
Hours/admission: Open seasonally. Access is included with most cruise itineraries.
Getting there: Primarily reached by cruise ship from Southeast Alaska itineraries.
Learn more: https://icystraitpoint.com/

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Alaska

Governor Dunleavy Names Stephen Cox his new Counsel to the Governor – Mike Dunleavy

Published

13 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Governor Mike Dunleavy today announced the appointment of Stephen Cox as his new Counsel to the Governor. The appointment comes after the legislature’s decision to not confirm him as attorney general, despite his extensive legal and public policy experience and proven record of defending Alaska’s interests both at home and on the national level. Cox’s responsibilities will be to advise Governor Dunleavy on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and constitutional matters affecting the State of Alaska.

Governor Dunleavy also appointed Cori Mills acting attorney general for the Alaska Department of Law. Mills has been with the department for 14 years and most recently served as deputy attorney general.

“Stephen Cox has a strong understanding of Alaska law and the challenges facing our state,” said Governor Dunleavy. “His experience, professionalism, and commitment to public service make him a valuable asset as Counsel to the Governor. I look forward to working with Stephen as we continue advancing policies that strengthen Alaska’s economy, uphold the rule of law, and serve the people of our state.”

As Counsel to the Governor, Cox will continue to work closely with the Department of Law and other executive branch departments to provide counsel on policy initiatives, legislation, and executive actions.

“I am honored to serve Governor Dunleavy and the people of Alaska in this new role,” said Stephen Cox. “I look forward to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to promote responsible resource development, governance and opportunities for Alaskans across the state.”

Cox assumes his new role effective today.

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Alaska

Why Juneau should be on every Alaska traveler’s bucket list

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Why Juneau should be on every Alaska traveler’s bucket list

Juneau blends towering glaciers, the Tongass National Forest and rich Indigenous culture.

Juneau, Alaska, is the only U.S. state capital not accessible by road — a remoteness that adds to its magic and appeal.

Nestled between mountains, rainforest, and the waters of the Inside Passage, Juneau combines Alaska Native heritage, Gold Rush history, and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.

Visitors can watch humpback whales surface offshore, ride a tram above downtown, stand face-to-face with or even on Mendenhall Glacier, a river of ice flowing from the vast Juneau Icefield. Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest — the world’s largest temperate rainforest — Juneau offers a quintessential Alaska experience where nature feels immense, and adventure begins just minutes from the cruise dock.

Why Juneau matters

Long before prospectors arrived in search of gold, the area now known as Juneau was home to the Áak’w Kwáan, whose name for this place — Áakʼw, often translated as “little lake” — reflects a deep connection to the surrounding land and water.

Russia later expanded into Alaska through the fur trade, bringing Orthodox missionaries, new trade networks, and profound cultural change to Indigenous communities across the region. Though Juneau rose to prominence during the Gold Rush and became the territorial capital after the United States purchased Alaska in 1867, the city still bears traces of both worlds.

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Juneau offers visitors a richer understanding of America’s layered history — one that’s shaped by Native stewardship, Russian influence, and the enduring resilience of southeast Alaska’s Indigenous peoples.

What to see today

The star attraction is Mendenhall Glacier, a 13.6-mile-long glacier that descends from the Juneau Icefield into a turquoise lake.

Easy trails lead to roaring Nugget Falls, while boardwalks along Steep Creek offer chances to spot spawning salmon and black bears. Back downtown, colorful floatplanes skim the harbor and the Mount Roberts Tramway lifts visitors above the city for sweeping views of Gastineau Channel and the surrounding mountains.

Ask a local

One of Juneau’s most whimsical attractions is Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, tucked into the Tongass rainforest just outside downtown.

Locals and visitors alike love the upside-down trees known as “Flower Towers” — massive spruce trunks planted root-side up, bursting with colorful blooms. The display is a unique (and accidental) creation of master gardener Steve Bowhay.

It’s an eccentric sight that feels uniquely Alaskan, blending lush rainforest scenery with a touch of horticultural imagination.